Twins Have "Shown Little Appetite" In Trading Pablo Lopez

I have this idea in my head, based on a few tea leaves I feel like I've seen (especially from Dan Hayes) that the Twins and Boston could match up. It's a working theory, and I feel like I'm Charlie Day with the beautiful mind gif going on at the moment, but hear me out...

1) Boston wants pitching. They've also said they would listen on Tristan Casas.

2) The Twins want to be creative to upgrade the roster.

3) Dan Hayes, even today, said the Twins may have to be open to trading one of Jax, Duran or Ober to help the roster.

4) My theory is, the Twins won't trade players coming off of injured or down years. They want players coming off of a good year, or even a career year, so that their value is at their highest.

5) Throwing out the idea of Jax going back to starting (in my opinion) isn't a throwaway. I think that COULD happen, especially if they trade someone like Ober.

Basically, a move that centers around Ober for Casas (with other parts going each way, depending, but I do think more would come back from Boston than would go out for us) could help both teams in my opinion. And IF Jax can make the switch to starting, then it certainly would be cheaper to add another solid bullpen piece than it is to add another starter.

Yes, I'm crazy. But this is also the type of move I could see being discussed.

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

A LOT more would need to come back from Boston. Like, Casas has little if any excess value, imo. 

Ok, what is a LOT? 

I don't see Teel coming back with him. But maybe there is a lower level pitcher they like, along with maybe a good reliever who is already at the mlb level. 

Would Casas, a good reliever and a decent arm/prospect be enough? Would you want something else?

4 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm not all that interested in Casas, but I could be wrong. I'd need to think about this more. 

I think if you deal Ober, you are getting back the equivalent of 1 top 50 and 1 top 100 prospects, plus one more good prospect. He's a healthy number 2/3 on a cheap deal. That's worth an awful lot, given the scarcity of SP. 

Fair enough. I don't think it has to be Casas. I certainly think he would fit the bill (when healthy) of a middle of the order type bat that we have missed since Nelson Cruz left. His 2023 numbers are awesome, and I would hope he could get back to that type of production.

So yeah, maybe this is just a thought process here. But I could see a fit somewhere between the two teams. We'll see.

3 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I'd rather have Ober than Casas by a country mile. I'd guess Casas would be compelled to slide to a full time DH role before too long and he looks like a 25-30 HR guy, not a 30-40 HR guy. Also, his K% went from 26% to 31% last year. That has to be a sizable red flag.

I'd in the end, I'd bet the difference between Casas and Miranda is significantly smaller than the difference between Ober and whomever replaces him.

He wasn't healthy in 2024. I was thinking more, if he were healthy, he could get back closer to his 2023 numbers.

But I see where you are coming from. I wasn't at all saying I'd do Ober for Casas 1-1. I'd need another good piece or two. But if it is 2 good pieces (whatever that looks like) that's when I'd listen.

51 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Don't know if this is scary or not. I'm of the mind to hold an AL East team hostage for a big return, something like Jarren Duran from Boston. While that seems unreasonable on the surface, the Red Sox know they have outfielders and can buy a couple of bats. They need better pitching in order to play with the Yankees. Orioles - Samuel Basallo is interesting as is Heston Kjerstad. Baltimore won't pay the price and Falvey should not cave in negotiations. Prefer to keep Pablo unless the price is paid. The Twins don't need any more sorta decent players.

I’d hate to trade him. I would. I don’t see Boston trading Duran, but I would imagine they would start with Casas and Meyer. If Baltimore does offer Basallo and say another of their high end guys (Mayo?) and maybe a lottery ticket, it could get interesting. I bet new hitting coach Borgschulte would have an opinion to share. 

On 12/23/2024 at 8:40 AM, DJL44 said:

Sean Manea just signed for more than Jorge Lopez is getting paid. I would much rather have Lopez.

To be fair, Jorge Lopez was pretty good with Baltimore for before being traded to the Twins in 2022, but I'd probably take Manea. Actually, Jorge Lopez wasn't terrible last year, either. 2.89 ERA? (3.94 FIP), and he was downright good with the Cubs after the Mets traded him (2.03 ERA, 3.20 FIP). I honestly did not see that coming.

Also. :p